Pop Culture Jeopardy Spinoff Ordered At Prime Video

Jeopardy! was created by Merv Griffin in 1964, as a twist on traditional trivia quiz shows that gave contestants answers and had them guessing the questions. With 40 seasons and 90 episodes, the game show is one of the longest-running TV shows of all time. Pop Culture Jeopardy! is an attempt to expand on that legacy, giving it a fresh twist and bringing it to a streaming platform where it’s more accessible to younger generations. 

Pop Culture Jeopardy! will, as the name implies, be focused exclusively on pop culture trivia. While the original show is a general knowledge trivia show where questions about Sticoms can exist alongside 15th-century English literature, the new show will narrow its topics. Fans should still expect a variety of topics ranging from movies and TV to sports and celebrity trivia. 

In addition to its narrowed focus, Pop Culture Jeopardy! is shaking up the gameplay with at least one new element–it’s a team game. Unlike the original show, which features individual contestants competing against each other, the new show will feature teams of three. Exactly how this team element works and other rule changes remain to be seen, but it is known that the show will continue the original’s tournament structure. 

Pop Culture Jeopardy! is a first for the long-running franchise, being the first show made for a streaming platform instead of a traditional TV network. The show’s development company, Sony Pictures, will work with Amazon to bring the game show to the streaming platform. As an executive producer on the original show, Michael Davies will be doubling up to executive produce the new version. 

While the streaming angle is new, this isn’t the first attempt at a Jeopardy! spinoff. Sports Jeopardy! and Rock and Roll Jeopardy! tried to create more topic-specific versions of the show while Jep! was an attempt to make a version of the show for kids. Pop Culture Jeopardy! will be joining current ongoing spinoffs Celebrity Jeopardy! and Jeopardy! Masters, which shake up the format not by changing rules or subjects, but by featuring celebrity contestants and returning champions respectively. 

There is still much we don’t know about Pop Culture Jeopardy! including who will host the show and when it will premier. Ken Jennings serves as the host for both Jeopardy! and Jeopardy! Masters, Mayim Bialik hosts Celebrity Jeopardy! and either could potentially host the new show. More details will likely come as production for the show ramps up. 

For fans of pop culture trivia and game shows, it’s exciting to see a streaming platform like Amazon working with such a prestigious show. Game shows have struggled to adapt to the streaming era, so Amazon Prime ordering one is an interesting experiment. Hopefully, Pop Culture Jeopardy! can capture what makes the original Jeopardy! great while finding ways to update the gameplay and make it feel fresh.

Source: Deadline